Optical coupling of light pipes

Abstract

A light transmission device, comprising in combination a longitudinally axially extending light pipe having opposite ends, one of the ends defining a recess for reception of light source structure that transmits light into the light pipe.

I claim:  
     
       1. A light transmission device, comprising in combination: 
       a) a longitudinally axially extending light pipe having opposite ends,  
       b) one of said ends defining a recess for reception of light source structure that transmits light into the light pipe, said recess having an interior concave wall, and said structure at least partly received in said recess to directly face said concave wall via which light is transmitted into the light pipe.  
     
     
       2. The combination of claim  1  wherein said concave wall extends about said light source structure received into the recess. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim  2  wherein the recess defines a perimeter extending about the light source. 
     
     
       4. The combination of claim  3  including a circuit board to which the light source in the form of an LED is attached, the recess perimeter projects toward said board, sidewardly of the LED. 
     
     
       5. The combination of claim  1  wherein the opposite end of said light pipe defines light transmitting facets. 
     
     
       6. The combination of claim  5  wherein said facets extend in substantially circular arcs. 
     
     
       7. The combination of claim  1  including a support panel carrying the light pipe, in spaced relation to said recess. 
     
     
       8. The combination of claim  7  wherein the opposite end of the light pipe terminates proximate said panel. 
     
     
       9. The combination of claim  8  wherein said opposite end of said light pipe defines light transmitting facets. 
     
     
       10. The combination of claim  5  wherein said facets extend in substantially circular arcs. 
     
     
       11. The combination of claim  7  wherein the light pipe has a flange engaging one side of the panel, and there being a grip ring gripping the light pipe and engaging the opposite side of the panel. 
     
     
       12. The method of positioning a light pipe and light source that includes: 
       a) providing a panel,  
       b) assembling the light pipe to the panel to project through an opening in the panel, and  
       c) assembling the light pipe and light source so that the light source projects into a recess at an end portion of the light pipe in spaced relation to the panel, so that the light source in the recess directly faces a concave interior wall defined by the light pipe, and positioning said concave interior wall to bound the light pipe in the recess.  
     
     
       13. The method of claim  12  including providing facets on an end of the light pipe proximate said panel. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim  12  including providing grip structure gripping the light pipe and providing a flange on the light pipe, and locating the panel to extend between said grip structure and flange, to be engaged thereby. 
     
     
       15. A light transmission device, comprising, in combination: 
       a) a light pipe having opposite ends,  
       b) one of said ends defining a recess via which light is transmitted into the light pipe to travel therein,  
       c) the opposite end of the light pipe defining light transmitting structure,  
       d) said recess having a substantially concave surface, there being LED structure at least partly received in said recess, and spaced from said substantially concave surface.  
     
     
       16. The combination of claim  15  wherein said structure defines facets. 
     
     
       17. The combination of claim  16  wherein said facets extend along ring-shaped paths. 
     
     
       18. The combination of claim  15  wherein said surface is a concave surface. 
     
     
       19. The combination of claim  18  wherein said substantially concave surface cooperates with said LED structure to axially mutually center said surface and said LED structure in said recess. 
     
     
       20. The combination of claim  15  including support structure supporting the light pipe at a side thereof, and spaced from said recess. 
     
     
       21. The combination of claim  20  wherein said light pipe projects beyond said support structure whereby said light pipe opposite end is everywhere spaced from said support structure. 
     
     
       22. The combination of claim  21  including a support panel engaged by said support structure at locations spaced sidewardly of the light pipe. 
     
     
       23. The combination of claim  21  including a support panel spaced from said opposite end of the light pipe, and engaged by said support structure at spaced locations for orienting the light pipe to extend in perpendicular relation to a plane defined by the panel. 
     
     
       24. The combination of claim  19  including a circuit board carrying said LED structure.